New Albany residents who live on the Licking County side of the city can get free firearm and medication storage devices delivered to their homes through a new health department program aimed at preventing suicide.

The Licking County Health Department announced Aug. 18 that it is shipping the devices at no cost to any Licking County resident who fills out an online request form. The items go directly to the requester's home after the form is submitted.

The program is part of a broader suicide prevention effort. Reducing access to lethal means during a crisis is a recognized public health strategy for lowering suicide risk, and the LCHD's suicide prevention page frames the initiative in those terms. Funding comes from Ohio Department of Health dollars made available through a CDC cooperative agreement.

Who qualifies

New Albany straddles the Franklin-Licking county line. Most of the city's 10,825 residents (per the 2020 census) live in Franklin County, but a portion of the city extends east into Licking County. Households in that Licking County section are eligible.

The program is restricted to Licking County residents only. The health department has not announced a supply limit or end date.

What's offered

The LCHD describes the devices as "medication and firearm storage devices" but has not publicly detailed the specific hardware, such as cable gun locks, lock boxes or pill containers with locks. Residents with questions about what they'll receive can call before ordering.

How to request

Residents can visit lickingcohealth.org and click the request form linked on the homepage. The health department also posted the direct form link on Instagram. For questions, call (740) 349-6535 or email [email protected].

The Licking County Health Department is located at 675 Price Road in Newark.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.